The Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, has established a clinical trial centre to check and control the use of fake drugs. Prof Ahmed Umdigas Hamidu, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital who disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent in Zaria, said the move was part of efforts to safeguard patients and strengthen the quality of health care delivery. The CMD said the centre was aimed at supporting the detection and monitoring of counterfeit and substandard drugs while contributing to research and evidence-based interventions at tackle the menace. According to him, the ABUTH had recently commenced a clinical trial of Niraparib, an adjuvant treatment for ovarian cancer, in collaboration with the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Centre of the University of Miami, United States. Prof Hamidu explained that the treatment, which costs about $19,000 for a full course, is being provided free to eligible participants in the clinical trial, including required laboratory, radiological and other investigations. The CMD explained that the clinical trial was being conducted across four centres in different locations, with ABUTH currently the only participating centre where the trial has commenced after meeting the required eligibility criteria. He further explained that the trial, which is expected to run for between two and three years, had so far enrolled three patients, including a patient who travelled from Bayelsa State to access the treatment. Prof Hamidu said the hospital is currently hosting a five-day hands-on workshop on grant writing to build the capacity of researchers to secure funding for medical and health-related research.
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